Snow and ice cause an increase in injuries in Dutch emergency departments
The Netherlands witnessed hundreds of injuries over the weekend due to snowy and icy conditions, leading to a significant increase in fall incidents, especially among the elderly population, causing fractures in the hip, wrist, elbow, and ankle.
The Dutch Association of Emergency Physicians (NVSHA) reported a significant increase in injuries resulting from falls. The elderly were the most affected, particularly those who suffered hip and wrist fractures. Many patients sought care at public health centers outside of working hours, meaning the actual number of injuries may be higher.
Weather warnings have been issued nationwide. The national yellow alert has been activated due to icy roads and frozen wet surfaces, while several provinces have raised the alert to orange, indicating an increased risk of accidents.
Hospitals across the country have reported an increase in the number of patients. The emergency departments at Ny Smellinghe Hospital in Drachten, Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen, Treant hospitals in Emmen, Hoogeveen, and Stadskanaal, and Isala hospitals in Meppel and Zwolle have seen a rise in fracture cases related to slippery conditions.
In Amsterdam, the OLVG hospital site experienced a significant increase in the number of patients over the weekend, with around 150 people arriving with wrist and elbow fractures—almost double the usual number of cases on a regular weekend. Saturday was particularly busy, leading to longer wait times, but the medical staff managed to handle the increase efficiently.